Retail Council of New York State Promotes Flach and Leonard to Vice Presidents

ALBANY, NY (06/19/2009)(readMedia)-- The Retail Council of New York State has promoted Rebecca Marion Flach to vice president of membership and communication and Robert Leonard to vice president of finance and operations.

In her new role, Ms. Flach oversees all communication that supports the Council's government relations, sales and marketing and membership functions. She is also responsible for the development of new membership benefit programs and services for the association.

The Retail Council hired Ms. Flach as director of public affairs in 2002. Prior to joining the Council, she was a senior account executive for Eric Mower and Associates, a marketing communication firm, where she developed and implemented integrated marketing communication programs for a variety of business-to-business and business-to-consumer clients.

She holds a bachelor's degree in communication from the State University of New York College at Fredonia and a master's degree in public relations from the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications at Syracuse University.

As vice president of finance and operations, Mr. Leonard supervises all aspects of the Retail Council's finances and program operations, including the various membership insurance products and the merchant services/credit card processing program. He is licensed by the New York State Department of Insurance in Property & Casualty and Life, Accident and Health.

Mr. Leonard was hired by the Council in 2001 as director of sales and marketing. Prior to joining the association, he worked in claim services for Allstate Insurance Company and Enterprise Rent-a-Car.

In addition to his responsibilities for the Retail Council, Mr. Leonard is vice president of RCSC, a wholly owned subsidiary of the Retail Council. He holds a bachelor's degree in marketing from Clarkson University.

"Rebecca and Rob have helped to shape the growth of the Retail Council for nearly a decade, and it is a pleasure to recognize their valuable contributions through this promotion," said Retail Council President and Chief Executive Officer James R. Sherin. "We are fortunate to count such talented professionals as part of our team."

About the Retail Council of New York State:

The "Voice of Retailing" in New York state, the Retail Council offers money-saving group benefit programs and government relations advocacy to thousands of retailers and other service providers. Learn more by visiting www.retailcouncilnys.com.

###